Paris Saint-Germain had thrashed Lille 6-1 the previous day to go three points clear but Lyon answered that as Corentin Tolisso and Alexandre Lacazette put it 2-0 up only six minutes in.
Maxime Gonalons's own goal soon pegged it back but it was 3-1 20 minutes in when Clinton N'Jie scored. That is how it stayed until the dying stages when Mickael Tacalfred's own goal padded Lyon's lead before Gaetan Charbonnier pulled one back.
The result sees Lyon top on goal difference - it is four goals better off than the defending champion - but PSG has a game in hand.
Yannick Carrasco's clinical 36th-minute opener paved the way for Monaco to retain third place with a 3-0 away win at doomed bottom club Lens.
Carrasco finished a powerful run by firing past home goalkeeper Remy Riou to give his side the lead and strikes from Anthony Martial and Bernardo Silva sealed a convincing win.
It was a welcome return to winning ways for Monaco whose poor home draw with Rennes last weekend had left its push for a UEFA Champions League qualifying place in doubt.
However, St Etienne remains hot on its heels - two points behind - after a 1-0 victory over Montpellier.
Max Gradel netted the game's only goal after 20 minutes at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
